There would not be any need to extend the tenure of the EU retailers’ group Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh beyond 2018 as the ongoing remediation work under its supervision would be completed by 2017 feels the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). However, BGMEA maintained the retailers’ body could stay in the country post 2018 as a monitoring agency, if allowed by the government.

BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman, said they have heard the Accord wants to stay for five more years but it has not made any official appeal in this connection. They also hope that the remediation work, the platform is supervising, will be completed by 2017 and no extension will be required.

The President of the apex garment manufacturers’ body in the country further underlined that Accord and the North American buyers’ platform – Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, were yet to officially seek an extension of their respective terms in Bangladesh.

It may be mentioned here that following the Rana Plaza building collapse in April, 2013, EU retailers formed the Accord while North American retailers formed the Alliance to undertake a five-year plan, which set timeframes and accountability for inspections and training and workers empowerment programs. Launched in February 2014 officially, the initiatives undertook structural, electrical and fire safety inspections in garment factories and suggested remedial measures accordingly.